'Murderball' Crashes into UH for Four-Day Summer Camp

The crashing sounds of wheelchair rugby enthusiasts will fill the University of Houston Campus Recreation and Wellness Center for the annual Wheelchair Rugby Summer Camp. The event is planned for July 30– Aug. 2.

Participants will learn about the game, practice skills and then take part in the game commonly called “murderball” for its aggressive style. Men and women of all ages and varying levels of disability in three or more limbs may participate in the activities, and all are welcome to cheer on the athletes.

This is the third year of the camp, which is sponsored by UH and Adaptive Athletics@ UH, a student organization that supports and promotes opportunities for students with disabilities to remain active. Former gold-medal Paralympians will serve as coaches.

“Our athletes will be challenged for four days as they learn more about the sport of wheelchair rugby,” said Michael Cottingham, program director and associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance (HHP). “The camp allows people with disabilities to gain exposure to higher education on campus and allows our campus to engage in another form of diversity.”

Adaptive Athletics @ UH is affiliated with HHP, TIRR Memorial Hermann and the U.S. Quad Rugby Association. The organization began sponsoring events in 2013 and to date has hosted local wheelchair rugby camps and tournaments that brought in wheelchair rugby players from around the world.